I wake on Monday to a big long text from Lexi. It is basically how she likes Kade. She wants a chance with him. She won't get it, he is mine... Isn't he? We need to talk.

"Hello." He answers in a groggy tone.
"So when were you going to tell me?"
"She told you...."
"Well when?"
"Never. It wasn't about you. I wanted to avoid the awkwardness."
"Kade it does involve me. I am yours and you are mine."
"Your cute when you are jealous."
"You're not getting out of this talk. This was your secret wasn't it!"
"Yeah and it was going to stay that way." He sighs.
"No Kade! This is important. I do not want that snake getting between us!" I yell into the phone.
"Do. Not. Call. Lexi. A. Snake." He says in an angry tone.
"Oh your defending her now!" I practically screech.
"Kara she's one of my best friends! Her feelings may have changed but mine haven't and I won't have anyone even you talk about her like that!"
"I do not want to see you today!" I say and hang up.

    With tears streaming down my face I don't bother with a shower, I start to get ready for school. I pull on my black veil brides t-shirt and black jeans. I pull on my black high top Vans and fishtail my hair. Finally I put on my black headband and call it an outfit.

    I head into the kitchen and Laura is making eggs and bacon.
     "Can I have some eggs?" I ask as I head to make coffee.
     "Yeah. Have you been crying?"
     "Kade." I say as a way of explanation.
     "Did he breakup with you?"
     "No, but Lexi likes him and he keeps defending her. She wants a chance with him, but he is mine!" I exclaim and Laura smiles.
     "Let it all blow over. You have it bad girl!"
     "I'm in love with him!"
     "Well you should hear your father's and my story! It took him 2 months to tell me he loved me." She smiles.

    I just sigh in response and head to the table where eggs, bacon and toast. My coffee tastes so good and the toast and eggs are filling.
     "Glad to see you eating!" Dad remarks as he takes a bite of bacon.
     "Eggs just sounded good." I say sullenly and get up to head to school.
     "Wanna go to the gym tonight?" Dad calls as I reach the door.
     "Sure." I respond and head for school.

    I see Kade standing in the main entrance of the school so I head to the bus entrance. I do not want to see him or Lexi. Candy is in front of me as I walk into the doors.
     "Since when do you ride the bus?" She asks.
     "I didn't.." I mutter and pass her head to my locker.

    I stop short when Lexi is at my locker. I ignore her as I put in my combo and gather my things.
     "Kara I deserve a chance with him!" She exclaims.
     "You deserve nothing!" I shout and a few people turn to look at us.
     "Kara, he is my best friend. I was here first. Your just some girl who caught his interest."
     "Well that girl is who he loves. And that girl is the one who loves him. I am not letting go Lexi. Get lost and stop being a snake."

     "KARA!" It is Kade. At this I gather my things and run. I do not want to see him. He probably hates me. I can't stand to loose him. The tears are here again and I can't control them.
* * * *
    Once I am at home I text Lacie to see if we can talk. She can so I call her.
"Hey girl." She chirps.
"Hey." I snuff.
"What's wrong?" She questions me.
"Well Kades best friend Lexi likes him. I had gotten close to her or kinda friends and now she doesn't want me to date him. I have no friends here that are girls and Kade is mad at me."
"She's a snake!" Lacie exclaims.
"That's what I said, and Kade got mad because of that."
"Omg he needs to get his priorities straight."
"Should I break up with him?" I ask. I don't want to but if it is needed.
"No girrl. He seems to make you happy and you didn't say he likes her."
"I wish you were here!"
"I will be in two weeks."
"Alright. So I have work tomorrow. What should I wear?"
"Something sweet. I know you don't have much of that but do you have anything Pastel?" She asks.
"Yeah a Vans shirt."
"Alright, that with black jeans and black Vans. It will say you want to talk but are still feeling touchy."
"Thanks Lacie. What would I do without you!"
"You would die!" At this I laugh for the first time all day.
"So what about you? Hows life?"
"Well no guys but my brother may come down with me! He wants to look in Huston for an apartment and mom and dad would be more comfortable if he was there to go home with me."
"That's cool. It'll be good to hang out with both of y'all. He can drive us around!"
"Yeah.... Kara I need to go. You know how my mom is about Family Dinner."
"Tell her I said hi!" I say as she hangs up.

    With that phone call over I head to the kitchen in a weird mood to cook. I want some cookies.
     "Laura do we have chocolate chips?"
     "Yeah I was going to make some brownies." She calls from the Laundry.
     "Can I make cookies instead?"
     "Sure don't use too many..... I want to make those brownies."
     "I can make those too!"
     "Alright go ahead." She laughs and I pull up a recipe for cookies.
* * * *
    Two hours, five cookies, and three brownies later I am running my heart out at the gym. Today has been emotionally draining and I only know to run when this happens. Dad is training with his trainer who seems to be wanting to train me.
     "Hey Kara come do some arms with me?" Dad calls. I hate weights.
     "No way!" I call.
     "You scared?" He challenges.

    Groaning I slow down and head over to the weight wall. I can't back down from a challenge like that. Travis is dead lifting in the corner and I avoid him at all costs. Dad has me doing curls and weighted squats for what seems like forever.
     "How would you like to take boxing classes?" He asks me. Travis rolls his eyes in the corner and mutters,
     "She doesn't need them."
     "Well I'm glad you think so highly of her. You just stay away and she won't need them!" Dad growls at him.

    There is too much testosterone in the air so I get up and head to the ropes. These are a good way to burn calories and work your whole body. I just swipe up and down and work out my anger and sadness.
     "Woah girl, you good?" I turn to see a short, dark haired girl leaning on the wall.
     "Had a long day." I mutter and go back to my swishing.
     "Name's Layla." She smiles handing me a card. I stick it in my legging pocket and smile.
     "My name's Kara. Love your bra!" I say. She is wearing a white sports bra with green leaf patterns running all over it.
     "Oh thanks! Got it off of Just Fab!"
     "Their stuff is good." I say finishing my ropes.

    I am so tired but dad is still working so I head to the showers. Layla follows grabbing some of the gym soap.
     "It's on me. This stuff feels so good after a workout."
     "Thanks!" I say and head to the shower.

    Once I am done I head to the car to wait on dad. He likes to prolong his shower. While I'm there I pull out the card Layla handed me. She is a personal trainer. She added a note on the back and it said,

You seem to need a friend. I don't know if you do but I am part of a local group of young people who like to meet for coffee on Tuesday nights, if you are interested just give me a call.

    She seemed to know just what I needed and she was nice. Maybe I will give her a call and maybe it is time I hire a trainor. Smiling at this I put the card away and pull out my phone to scroll Instagram. No new posts for me but I do have some dm's. They are from a few galleries who want me to do a show for them. I decline because I am too young right now. There are more professional photographers out there who need a chance to showcase their work. This is what I tell them referring them to a few I like.

    Finally dad gets back in the car and we head home. I fall into bed and am out before I can plug my phone in.
* * * *
    My alarm and Laura screaming wakes me up. Groggily I head to the kitchen and find Laura soaked from head to toe and my dad laughing from the sink. It looks like he just sprayed her with the hose. laughing along with dad and head back to my room to get ready. Following Lacies instructions I fishtail my hair and put on my everyday makeup. The Vans shirt and my black jeans follow. My Vans come on last and I am ready to go.

    Even if Kade doesn't want to talk I need to talk to him. I need to tell him what he means to me and how it hurts. I need to apologize for what I said to Lexi and then let him say his peace.

     "That is a cute shirt." Laura says as I pass her on the way to the front door. Dad is already in the truck.
     "You ready to face the wrath?" Dad asks joking.
     "I'm scared." I mutter and plug in my earbuds. I hope today I just have office work. Maybe I don't even have to see Kade.
* * * *
     "Why would you even entertain the thought?"
     "She's been in your life longer than me. You know her better!"
     "And that is exactly why I am dating you!"

    We've gone somewhere. At least Kade is not breaking my heart.
     "Well she hasn't been the nicest either in this. I just wanted to be her friend and now look at us."
     "You'll be okay. I've told her no. We've agreed to be friends."
     "I don't want to be jealous or 'that girlfriend' but could you stay away from her for a bit?" I ask in a small voice.
     "Yes I've told her we need to keep out distance. I love you Kara and I love Lexi to but in a different way. Kara I'm yours. So can we just forget this."
     "Well we will learn from this and you sir will tell me when something like this happens!" I exclaim.
     "Of course." Kade sighs and then pulls me to him.

     "I hate when we fight." He mutters and tightens his hold on me.
     "Well then lets not do it again." I say amicably. He bends down giving me a soft and brief kiss.
     "I need to get back to work." He says and then heads back out to the barn.

    It has been a full day and I am exhausted. There was so much paperwork. I just want lunch and a fat nap.
     "Honey are you okay?" Anita asks from the door way making me jump.
     "Just tired and hungry." I mutter.
     "Here I have a greek salad and some yogurt." She offers. I gladly take the food and smile at her.
     "Thanks Anita. You're the best."
"Aww mija. Eat this and get what you need to get done done. " She smiles and heads back to the kitchen.

    Two hours later my eyes are drooping when Kade comes into the office.
     "You need a nap?" He whispers.
     "I can't I have to finish this." I say.
     "You can just stay later and do it. I'll text your dad and ask."

    At this he pulls me to his room and I am out before he can tuck me in. But before sleep takes me I hear,
    "You're the best thing that ever happened to me and I'm sorry for making you like this."

I know I am sorry! I have had a lot of writers block. Had inspo a few days ago and wrote this chapter. Anywho thanks for reading, please like and comment if you would like.
                                                        --TBJ2004